In public debate, migrants are often mentioned in the context of problems.
What gets overlooked is that people with a migrant background have long since become a key driver of innovation and growth in Germany. It’s important to me to highlight that in this post.
The facts are clear…
Over the past ten years, their share of patents and startup foundations has risen sharply. While the total number of German patent applications declined, the share of inventors with an immigrant background rose from 7.5% (2010) to 13% (2020). In industries such as IT, software, and electrical engineering, it now stands at over 23%. At SAP, more than half of all patents are held by immigrants.
This trend is also evident in new business start-ups. 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟱 𝗹𝗮𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗶 𝟴 %, 𝗵𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬 %. Migrants are not only starting businesses in the service sector but are increasingly founding technology-oriented and knowledge-intensive companies. They launch new products on the international market at an above-average rate and invest heavily in research and development.
From a macroeconomic perspective, this contribution is enormously important. Without migrants’ contribution to innovation and entrepreneurship, patent output in Germany would already be on the decline. In addition, foreign employees generate more than 500,000 euros annually 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗸𝘁 𝗳ü𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗜𝗣. A loss of this income would leave massive gaps in growth, value creation, and social security.
Migration is not a risk, but rather an opportunity—and a cornerstone of Germany’s future.
People with a migration background ensure innovation, competitiveness, and prosperity. Without them, our future would be significantly poorer.
The key question for me is how we organize integration—how we enable people from other countries to become part of our society.
👉 Migration is therefore a driver of innovation—and indispensable for Germany.
Sources: IW Cologne, DIW Berlin, Bertelsmann Foundation, IfM Mannheim, KfW
